The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-08-18

him. Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray.
But il she's q lady and all right l
don't care. Nothing will steady him
until he marries; and if. as said,
she's-anem. of suitable position
OF course, Mr.. Smith, we must be q
little exclusive why, it, the very best
thing he can do"
''Well, my lord, there's the difficult
by birth and education, but from
pressure of family circumstances she
has been Obliged to get her living in
milliner's shop"
"Milliner's shop" exclaimed Lord
Cray. '"rhat is indeed a difficulty.
The best Of birth and education hard.
~ balances the shop, does it, eh?
Confound him! And the matters
gone so far that you've come to see
me about it. OF course you're great
friend of his. believe they cali you
old Smith in the regiment, don't
they?"
Eyes, take a great interest in him
and in the GIRL" replied Smith, land
I've taken the liberty not only to
speak pretty plainly to your son, but
to have the girl removed"
"Then you've constituted yourself
the young-the young lady's protec.
tor, Mr.. Smith," said his lordship.
"But if the cause of the evil is remov-
ed, why bother any more about it?
Why, sir, Robert has been in love-
hopelessly in love-a score of times to
| my knowledge; yet he has survived n,
each case. Why shouldn't he survive
in this?"
"Well, my lord, you see the girl loves
him honestly and truly, and ! consci.
entiously believe that, in this instance,
his love is really genuine" replied
Smith. '"True that she is out of his
way now, but could not answer for
the effect which such separation
might have on him."
Him! Well, of course, Lord Cray's
son mustn't marry the girl in trade,
although Lord Cray himself does sell
his game and his fruit, and possesses
coal wharf on the Regents Canal"
said the nobleman. "Yet you say
she's a lady. Where is she, Capt.
Smith,"
with her father in the country"
replied the officer.
"Who is he? What is he?" asked
Lord Crazy.
"He is a clergyman-ther rector of a
poor parish, with a large family to
bring up upon g. very insufficient in
come, so that he has been Obliged to
send his daughter out to get her own
living in the world" replied old Smith.
The great man rose from his chair
and paced up and down the room for
some moments in deep thought. At
last he stopped short and said:
capt. Smith get the girl out of the
miilinary business as quick as you
can. Of course, am Saying this up
on tho supposition that you are so
far acquainted with her as to be able
to do it. If money is needed,
write ME line here, and let theyoung
rascal pursue his suit. Idon't know
how to thank you sufficiently for the
trouble you have taken in the matter,
us IN the absence of the information
you have given me should assuredly
have treated the clandestine union OF
my son with a milliner girl with the
greatest severity"
"rhen ! may tell your son, my lord.
that-that--"
1.-THE sooner he gets married the
BETTER" said Lord Cray.
Old smith took his leave with 4
beaming face, and arrived at Fillstone
in time for mess.
The honorable Bob Topsham was
there, and elared unutterable things
at his brother officer throughout the
repast. Indeed, old Smith could not
help being conscious that he was an
object OF general interest, and, from
the fact that conversation at the ia
bic was more subdued than usual, al
though it was q guest night, he opined
that during his brief absense a storm
had been gathering which would pres
emily burst upon his head.
Immediately after dinner Smith, as
WAS his custom, rose and left without
taking any wine. Bob Topsham also
rose and followed him, and when he
got outside the door said, in voice
which was almost inarticulate with
anger:
Co., Smith sma ;s are you going to apologize
"HeHo" exclaimed Smith, laughing;
"that's rather good; sub OF three
years standing making a cool request
like that to man fifteen years his
senior!''
II don't care if you were fifty years
my senior" retorted the young officer.
'You'vo behaved in a."
stop! stop" cried old Smith,
don't 20 too far! Let me have a
word! Come to my rooms!"
Directly the door was closed behind
them old Smith, without any preface,
said: care you still in love with Oracle
Clough?"
"Of course 1 am," replied Bob, in
amazement. "But what's the use OF
it nowyou've bolted with her? You've
taken a mean advantage of a fellow.
You've behaved like a."
"Steady, lad, steady!" interposed
old Smith, laying his hand gently on
the shoulder of the excited youngster.
It's true I've taken her away, but
only did so to enable me to do you a
good turn. You're quite sure you
love Oracle sufficiently to make her I,
good husband?"
"Why, OF course do" replied Bob,
looking inquiringly i'll the face of the
elder officer. "But say, Smith, what
does this all mean? What have you
been doing?"
"Well, I've got your fathers con-
sent to your marriage with her that's
al" replied old Smit h.
you have!" eapsed Bob Topsham.
do you mean to say that you've
given her up to me? You, who loved
her as much as did? You, whom
I've been slanging right and left for
doing what thought was @ mean &C.
ton. Where is Gracie?"
cat her father's-at nv fathers